Page 4 September 2012
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The Leonard family spend every
Sunday morning at Mass at
Holy Name Church, in St Peters,
followed by a day with friends and
family usually over lunch at their
Montacute home and orchard.
During the week, David and Elise
schedule the family diary so that
meal and prayer times are not
interrupted.
“We find it is essential for our
family,” says Elise, of spending
quality time together. “It’s the one
time we can connect and share with
our children and most importantly
pray together.”
Wednesday night is the family’s only
commitment-free week night and
is “sacred”, as is sticking to a six-
day working week despite the fruit
industry’s seven-day workload.
“Making ends meet on a simple
income is challenging,” says Elise.
The Australian Catholic Bishops
Conference is this month focussing
its annual Social Justice Statement
on families as the basis of the
Catholic Church’s community of
faith and the very foundation of
society. The Bishops want to remind
the Church that families can be
beacons for a more compassionate
and just society and, as such,
need support from the Catholic
community.
“Families do it tough certainly and
it’s getting more and more so,” says
Elise.
But she says hers is a blessed
family because the flexible working
hours of the orchard meant they
were able to spend dinner together
most nights. “I really feel for those
families that don’t see Mum or Dad
until late at night.”
For more information on the
Social Justice Statement visit
www.socialjustice.catholic.org.au
or call (02) 8306 3499.
WE ARE FAMILY: Adelaide Hills fruit farmers David and Elise Leonard make time spent with
their children Jonathan 13, Daniel 10, Elias 5, James 3, and Ignatius 2, a priority.
Clock ticks for
family time
Parents and grandparents are
being encouraged to join the drive
for a safer Church as part of this
year’s Child Protection Sunday
message from the National
Committee for Professional
Standards.
For the first time, Child Protection
Sunday, on September 9, has
been added to the Adelaide
diocesan diary of events, making
sure all diocesan parishes observe
the annual event aimed at raising
community awareness of child-
safe policies and practices.
“This is not just the task of priests,
religious and teachers. Every
family can be involved in building
this safer future for children and
young people,” say National
Committee for Professional
Standards executive officers
Sister Angela Ryan csb and Father
Tim Brennan msc in a joint letter.
Sr Ryan and Fr Brennan called
on all church organisations to
promote Child Protection Week
by:
• Placing a notice on
noticeboards and newsletters
• Displaying a poster
• Using Prayers of the Faithful
or the Child Protection Prayer
provided
• Engaging staff in material
provided
• Displaying five white balloons
• and using the Integrity in the
Service of Church document to
review policies and procedures.
Photo: Nat Rogers
Child Protection Sunday